Pressure-compensated solenoid valve

A pressure-compensated solenoid valve for controlling communication through a connecting passage extending between a high fluid pressure side of a fuel injection nozzle and a low pressure fluid relief side, particularly between a high-pressure pump space of a fuel injection pump and a low-pressure fuel return space, said solenoid valve comprising a multi-part housing having a central part with a guide bore extending therethrough and having one end section of increased diameter providing for a bore shoulder, a stepped control rod movably disposed in said guide bore and having an increased-diameter end portion received in said increased-diameter end section of said guide bore and having a rod shoulder opposite said bore shoulder, a first valve housing end part disposed at one end of said central part and having a flat bearing surface with a valve opening disposed opposite said increased-diameter end portion of said control rod, a second valve housing end part disposed at the other end of said central part and including means for biasing said control rod onto said first valve housing end part for closing said valve opening, said control rod carrying at its end opposite said increased-diameter portion an armature arranged adjacent an electromagnet structure adapted to be energized for moving said control rod off said bearing surface for freeing said opening and releasing fuel under pressure therefrom, said increased-diameter portion including a passage disposed in alignment with said opening and extending to an annular space formed around said control rod between its shoulder and the shoulder of said guide bore to provide a pressure force on said control rod counteracting the pressure force generated by the fluid in the passage blocked by said control rod.